Holland is set to spend the next few months on the sidelines after suffering a hamstring tear in what will undoubtedly be a massive blow for the 19-year-old who has been extremely impressive for the Hammers' under-23 side this term and was surely pushing for another first-team chance, having featured in a League Cup game earlier this season.

But Westley has confirmed that Holland's surgery was successful, and explained what the new few months will look like for the young midfielder.

“There is never a good time to get injured and he is bitterly disappointed as he will miss out on the chance to show David Moyes and Alan Irvine – two people he knows from his time at Everton – what he can do over the next few weeks.

“But I know that Nathan will return stronger when he is fit to play again around February. He will stay close to the group, and we will send him to games."

As Westley alluded to, Moyes may have had an idea about Holland's potential given that the youngster was on Everton's books from 2007, meaning that he was coming through the ranks for six years while Moyes remained first-team manager.

And with West Ham struggling for form in recent weeks, it may not have been out of the question to suggest that Holland could have been in contention to earn more opportunities with his performances for the academy side continuing to attract praise.